Benefits advice needed please: mental health

Fading_Star

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find some information out on behalf of a relative of mine. Basically, we've always known he had some problems, but I never realised how bad they were. His parents are under a lot of stress supporting him financially and with his illness so I'm hoping to get some advice to give to them.
My cousin is in his late twenties and lives with my aunt and uncle, (always has done). In his late teens/early twenties he started to experience severe anxiety, panic attacks, and depression (not diagnosed, but I gather from what they've told me as have worked in MH field in the past). He also began to self harm. His panic attacks got worse and were related to being in social situations. So he stopped going out. And for years, he's been at home, no job, I was told he's only been out a couple of times in the last three years. He stopped self harming though.
Recently I discovered he has been really bad...getting OCD like behaviour, more severe depression, and anxiety at home. My aunt and uncle are trying to look after him but they are both retired and have limited resources now physically and financially.
My cousin has never been diagnosed or seen a doctor. He's never made any claim to benefit. He will not leave the house and refuses to see anyone.
My advice is...firstly, is he entitled to benefits, even though he has never worked. If so, what benefits are they and how should they apply for them?
Secondly, should we just approach his GP...will they arrange a home visit, what should we do...anyone had any experiences?
Lastly, are there any help schemes for people with these issues, back to work schemes, further education courses, etc? I'm hoping we can help him get his own life and move away from his parents eventually.
Rght, sorry for that epic post and if you got this far, thankyou very much for reading :P and in advance for replies x

when_will_it_end

i think your first port of call is the GP

some one else will be along to explain the benifits side of thigs but he could maybe apply for ESA

i would call his GP i the morning explain the situation and go from there, hopefully you may get a home visit but in my experiece they do not normally do this

good luck

emma+_6

it's going to have to be the GP first. He cant go on jobseekers due to his illness so will have to be sickness benefit (or whatever it's called these days). maybe the uncle and aunt can get carers allowance?

The GP should refer him to specialist mental health team who will be able to help more

seven-day-weekend

He will need to see the GP, who may or may not do a home visit.

If he gets a sick note he can claim ESA (Employment Support Allowance,). He will have to undergo periodic 'medicals' while he is on this.

If his condition causes him to have care and/or mobility difficulties, he can apply for DLA (Disability Living Allowance).

His uncle and/or Aunt will not be able to draw Carers' Allowance if they are on State Pension as you cannot get both at once, although they may have an underlying entitlement to it (not sure about this bit).

The best thing to do would be a) to see a Doctor and b) to see a Benefits Advisor at the CAB who will be able to advise on his personal circumstances. However, I think your relative will have to be there in person, even though someone may speak for him on his behalf.

Hope this helps.

MrsManda

Definitely see a doctor first. It's much better to get help and treatment to manage a health problem than to just cope on benefits. It can actually be beneficial, especially for mental health problems, to do some form of work - not anything particularly strenuous, just something which makes you feel useful and gets you in contact with others.
Then after a GP assessment the GP will be able to refer to mental services or any other service he feels necessary. It is likely that the GP will say he unable to work for the meantime and therefore he can claim Employment Support Allowance.

It sounds like at the moment he may have extra care needs as he's not going out of the house and needs watching. In which case he'll be able to claim Disability Living Allowance. Again, it's much better to get a GP to see him and to get him referred to mental health services before this as a full assessment of his needs will aid the application.

Obviously it's better to get him to agree to speak to his GP rather than use force but this is not always possible. As he's refusing to see anyone in order for him to be diagnosed/treated it may be worth his parents contacting their GP surgery to make a home visit. If he still refuses to see the GP it may be that his GP gets him reviewed under the Mental Health Act. I understand that this is a big decision but it's unfair to leave him in the state he is and his parents are not going to be able to care for him forever. You say that they've worked in MH, surely they know how the system works? Is the reason they've not pushed the issue because they don't think he's ill enough to warrant it, or because they are emotionally involved and see it as a betrayal to force him to receive care/treatment?

Unfortunately there is no quick fix or standard treatment with many MH problems and it can be difficult to get help for someone who doesn't want it.
This may be helpful: http://www.rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/coping_in_a_crisis/help_from.html

Mrs_Arcanum

They may even be able to get some sort of respite care once he is known to the various Doctors etc.

As your Aunt & Uncle are pensioners it is also worth looking at his housing needs for the future; sooner rather than later.

Prinzessilein

The first step is definitely to get him to see a GP.

The GP may be able to prescribe medication or arrange a referral for specialist help. They will also be able to supply a sick/fit-note if needed.

In addition, the GP or specialist may be able to arrange a referral to Social Services. A Social-Worker may be able to look at what needs to be done to encourage a move towards more independent living.

(It's all 'may be able to' because it depends what care/help is appropriate)

Financially, JSA could be claimed or ESA - depending again on circumstances. DLA (Disability Living Allowance) if there are care or mobility needs. And Housing/Council Tax benefits if he moves away from home. (At his age he is only able to claim for a room, not a flat/house....but if he is assessed as having disability-needs there is a chance he could be offered a flat). Filling In the forms can be daunting - help is available try the CAB or DIAL.